I push open the front door and step inside, bracing myself for whatever's about to happen.
"OH MY GOD!" Selene practically launches herself toward me, bouncing on her toes. "Whose car was that?! It was so nice!"
Before I can answer, Bianca appears from the kitchen, arms crossed, one perfect eyebrow raised. She's giving off maximum smug-older-sister energy. "Your girlfriend's got a nice ride."
"Yeah, it was Luna's. Her driver gave me a ride." I slowly make my way inside, every movement making me feel like I'm a robot with rusty joints. Taking off my shoes feels like an Olympic sport. "And she's not my girlfriend."
"Uh-huh. Sure." Bianca's smirk widens.
"Wait, hold on." Selene tilts her head, her enthusiasm dimming as she actually looks at me. She starts circling around me like a concerned mother hen. "Why are you moving like that? Adam, are you okay?"
I glance over and see Bianca's smirk has disappeared, replaced with a frown.
I manage to get my slippers on and start shuffling past them, moving like I'm about ninety years old. They immediately rush to my sides, each grabbing an arm to help support me. They're both incredibly soft and warm, and for a moment I forget about my various bruises and aches.
"Thanks guys," I say, genuinely grateful. "So, uh, a lot happened yesterday. I'll explain everything when Mom gets home, okay?"
Silence. They exchange looks for a moment, before turning back to me.
"This have something to do with Jack?" Bianca asks flatly.
I pause mid-shuffle. "How'd you—"
"Adam, come on. You're not exactly subtle." Bianca rolls her eyes. "You were stressed about Jack for like a week, and now you're shuffling around like an old man and he mysteriously didn't show up to school today. We're not idiots."
"Are you hurt bad?" Selene's voice goes small and worried, her grip on my arm tightening. "Like, should we take you to a doctor? Do you need ice? Should I—"
"I'm fine, Selene. Really. Just bruised." I give her what I hope is a reassuring smile. "I promise I'll tell you everything once Mom's home. The full story."
"You better." Selene pouts but doesn't push further.
"You're telling us everything," Bianca adds, her tone brooking no argument. "And I mean everything. Don't try to downplay it or be all heroic and secretive."
Then Bianca steers us toward the dining room. "Come on, food's ready. You look like you need it."
The smell of curry hits me like a beautiful, aromatic freight train. Oh my god. Curry. Bianca's curry.
We make our way to the dining table and sit down. The curry is served in generous portions over perfectly fluffy white rice, and I could honestly cry.
I take my first bite and have to suppress an actual moan of pleasure. The curry is absolutely divine, Bianca's cooking truly never disappoints. The sauce is wonderfully rich but not spicy, just loaded with deep, complex flavors. The rice is perfect: not too soft, not too hard. The chicken is moist and tender enough to fall apart at the touch of a fork. The potatoes are soft and creamy in the middle. The carrots are sweet and firm. It's perfection.
"Bianca, this is incredible," I say around a mouthful of food.
"I know." She doesn't even look up from her plate.
"Your humility is truly inspiring."
"I contain multitudes."
I snort and nearly choke on my rice.
For a few minutes, we eat in comfortable silence. Then Selene, apparently unable to contain herself any longer, breaks it.
"Okay but can we talk about Luna?!" She drops her fork with a clatter. "Adam! She's so CUTE! Oh my god! That little shy wave she did at lunch? I literally wanted to die. She's so adorable!"
Bianca nods. "She's really cute."
"RIGHT?!" Selene turns to me with pleading eyes. "You told her we wanted to be friends, right? Please say you told her. I need to befriend her. I will literally die if I don't become friends with her."
"You're being so dramatic." I laugh, shaking my head. "She's just really shy, so we're taking it slow. I'm not gonna just throw her into the deep end with you two."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Bianca asks dryly.
"It means Selene would probably tackle-hug her within five minutes and Luna would pass out from fear."
"I would not!" Selene protests. Then she pauses. "Okay, maybe. But it would be a gentle tackle-hug!"
I grin at her. "I'll introduce you guys when she's ready, okay? She gets nervous around new people. But I already told her you'd love her."
"Ughhh, fineee." Selene slumps dramatically in her chair. Then, because she has the attention span of a caffeinated squirrel, she perks right back up. "Wait, speaking of cute people, you've been looking really good lately!" Her pink eyes are sparkling with excitement.
I nearly choke on my curry. "What?"
"No, she's right." Bianca is studying me now, her teal eyes sharp. "Your face cleared up. Like, a lot."
"I've been meaning to say something!" Selene bounces in her seat. "I just didn't want to bring it up 'cause you've been all stressed and weird lately, but you've been getting cuter! Your skin looks so good now! And..." She squints at me. "Have you been working out? Your face looks different. Like, more defined?"
Okay, what is happening today? Jack's gone. I got two really cool power-ups from my system. Luna called me pretty. And now my two impossibly hot sisters are calling me cute. This might legitimately be the best day of my life. I'd willingly take another beating in a heartbeat if it means the next day would be as amazing as this one.
I can feel my face heating up, but I'm smiling anyway. "I mean, yeah, I've been working out. And I guess my skincare routine is paying off?" Then, because fair is fair, I add: "You two look great too. As always."
"Obviously." Bianca says with maximum smugness.
"Bianca!" Selene reaches over and smacks her arm, laughing. Then she looks back at me, beaming. "Aww, thanks Adam! You're the sweetest!" She leans her head on my shoulder. "This is why you're my favorite brother."
"I'm your only brother."
"Still counts!"
The pressure on my bruised shoulder kind of hurts, but I don't mind it. The warmth of her head and the sweet strawberry scent of her hair makes the pain worth it.
We finish eating, the conversation flowing easily between bites. By the time we're done, I'm feeling significantly better despite my injuries. Good food and good company really do work miracles.
I push back from the table carefully. "I'm gonna go rest for a bit before Mom gets home."
"You sure you're okay?" Selene asks, worry creeping back into her voice.
"Yeah, I just need to lie down. I'll be fine."
I make my way upstairs with slow, jerky movements that make me look like I'm auditioning for a zombie movie.
Halfway up, I realize: Shit. I never checked if Mr. Vale replied.
Once I'm in my room, I pull out my phone and check my messages.
Adam:Hey Mr. Vale, I'm really sorry but I won't be able to make it to work today. Something important came up. I'll explain more later. Sorry again.
Arthur:That is quite all right, Adam. I do hope that whatever has come up is nothing too serious.
Well, unfortunately I have more bad news for him. I stare at my phone for a moment, trying to figure out how to word this.
Adam:I'm really sorry but I don't think I can make it tomorrow either
Adam:I'm injured. It's nothing too serious but it's hard to walk normally right now
Adam:I should be okay by sunday though
I hit send and wait, watching the screen. After a moment, the reply comes through:
Arthur:I am very sorry to hear that you have been injured, Adam. Please do not concern yourself with work at this time, your health and recovery takes priority.
Arthur: Take the entire weekend off to rest properly, and we shall discuss your return again on Monday.
God, Mr. Vale really is too good to me.
Adam:Thank you so much Mr. Vale. I really appreciate it
Adam:Do you need a doctor's note or anything?
Arthur:That will not be necessary. I trust you, Adam. Please rest well and take care of yourself.
Adam:Thanks again! You're the best!
I stare at my phone for a moment, warmth spreading through my chest. Mr. Vale really is far too kind. I'm truly blessed to be surrounded by such amazing people.
But okay, enough of that! I really can't wait any longer to test out these new upgrades!
"I'm gonna take a quick nap!" I shout out, closing my door and locking it.
Even through the closed door, I can hear my sisters downstairs, my improved hearing picking up their voices clearly.
"Okay," Bianca's deadpan response drifts up.
"Sleep well, baby bro!" Selene adds.
"Stop calling me a baby! I'm eighteen!" I shout back, grinning despite myself.
"Still a babyyy!" Selene sings back.
I lay down on my bed, getting comfortable. My heart is racing with anticipation. This is it. Time to see what these upgrades actually do.
I will the system to show me the Intuitive Thinking body enhancement:
Quest Reward Obtained
Body Enhancement: Intuitive Thinking
Do you wish to enhance your body now? User is advised to find a quiet and safe location before accepting. The upgrade may take up to thirty minutes to complete.
(Note: The user may fall unconscious during the upgrade due to changes affecting the brain)
[Yes] [No]
Well, here goes nothing. I mentally click the [Yes] option.
For a few minutes, literally nothing happens. Uh, what? This is kind of anticlimactic. I thought that I was going to—
…
My eyes snap open. Huh? I look at my phone. Around twenty-five minutes have passed.
Okay. Yup. Definitely fell unconscious.
I sit up slowly, testing how I feel. Honestly? I don't feel much different. Maybe the upgrade's effects are subtle, and it's something I'll only notice when I actually need it.
Well, no point stopping now.
Quest Reward Obtained
Active Skill: Will of Iron
Do you wish to obtain this active skill now? User is advised to find a quiet and safe location before accepting. Skill acquisition may take up to twenty minutes to complete.
(Note: The user may fall unconscious during skill acquisition due to changes affecting the brain)
[Yes] [No]
I click [Yes].
I settle back down on my bed, hands clasped on my stomach. It's kind of interesting that I can't feel these upgrades happening. My previous body enhancements (like Optimized Body), were intense. There was that whole progression from tingling to tickling to actual pain. But these brain upgrades? Nothing. Just consciousness, then unconsciousness, then consciousness again.
I guess it makes sense. The brain doesn't have pain receptors, so the system is literally rewiring my neural pathways right now and I can't feel a thing.
I wonder if future upgrades will hurt more when the changes get more drastic. Oop, I think I'm about to pass—
…
My eyes snap open. I check my phone. Around fifteen minutes this time.
And this time, I do feel different. It feels like I've learned something new. It's hard to describe, like suddenly realizing you can wiggle your ears when you never could before. Or learning to whistle for the first time. There's this new... function? Capability? Something I can do now that I couldn't do before.
To activate Will of Iron, I need to... flex something in my mind? It's like tensing a muscle, except it's not a muscle at all. It's more like flipping a mental switch, pulling an internal lever I never knew existed.
Well, no time like the present. I sit up on the edge of my bed and focus on that new "muscle," tensing it.
Will of Iron [Enabled]
I feel calm. The pain, the aches, the bruises, the sharp stabs when I move wrong, all of it vanishes.
Let's test this.
I slowly stand up. And I feel no pain at all.
I take a few careful steps.
You're overdoing it, a small voice whispers in my head.
The voice is right. Your body uses pain to tell you when something's wrong, and this skill just completely bypasses that entire warning system. I could seriously injure myself and not even realize it.
I stop tensing the mental muscle.
Will of Iron [Disabled]